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The Steelers have taken Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison and top backup Jason Worilds off the physically unable to perform list -- a positive sign for a unit that has been ravaged with injuries.

Harrison, a former NFL defensive player of the year, and Worilds have not practiced since the spring and will not dress for Thursday night's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

However, the move indicates that both players are getting closer to resuming practice and playing in a game -- even if they are not ready for the season opener.

Harrison is not expected to return till at least the second game after having arthroscopic surgery two weeks on his knee. Since the spring, Harrison has tried twice to test his knee in agility drills, and each time the knee swelled after cutting on it.

Worilds, a second-round pick in 2010, had surgery on his left wrist in the spring and is unable to hinge his wrist to take on blockers. He will have to wear a brace wrist when he returns.

It has been a tough training camp for the linebacker unit.

Inside linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who has been used outside in training camp because of the injuries to Harrison and Worilds, sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee during the final practice at St. Vincent College. He is expected to be out another two weeks.
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